Bahá’í Community Life/Spiritual Education of Children and Youth
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Cause of God. The messages from The Universal House of Justice, the supreme and infallible governing body of the Bahá’í Faith, are also an important part of one’s study. The Universal House of Justice has given four questions to think about when one studies or deepens in the Faith: What is Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human race? Why did He submit to great suffering? What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by “a new race of men”? What important changes will He bring about?15
If one continually deepens himself, he will be better able to teach the Cause to his friends and to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s message. Bahá’u’lláh has written, “Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else, teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him. Unless he teacheth his own self, the words of his mouth will not influence the heart of the seeker.” 16 One must know the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and strive to reflect them in his daily life or people will not be interested in listening to him.
Every Bahá’í is responsible for deepening himself and should pray and read the Writings daily. If one studies a little each day, gradually he will understand more and more of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. Physical exercise may seem difficult at first; but if one does a few exercises each day, his muscles slowly grow stronger. The spiritual exercises of prayer and study may also be difficult in the beginning, but they will develop and strengthen the soul.
The believers in each community may also gather together for study classes. Sometimes it is helpful to discuss the Writings with other Bahá’ís. Listening to other people’s comments often helps increase one’s own understanding.
6. Spiritual Education of Children and Youth[edit]
The spiritual education of children and youth is very important. Young people will one day be responsible for the progress of the Cause. They must be given spiritual training which will enable them to do their part in building the Kingdom of God on earth. Young people are like young trees, which grow accord-
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ing to the way in which they are trained. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us that “The hearts of all children are of the utmost purity. They are mirrors upon which no dust has fallen. . . . Train these children with divine exhortations. From their childhood instill in their hearts the love of God. . . .”17
The spiritual education of children should develop and increase their spiritual capacity, acquaint them with Bahá’í history and teachings, and instill Bahá’í values. Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá have written prayers for children, and many materials are available to parents and teachers to help them in educating children.
The spiritual education of youth should build upon the education of their earlier years and, in addition, prepare them for active service in the community. Bahá’ís between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one are considered youth. When a child reaches the age of fifteen, he has reached the age of spiritual maturity. He can then decide for himself whether he wants to remain a Bahá’í and can make his declaration of faith in Bahá’u’lláh. The youth in a community need to continue deepening their knowledge of the Faith. The adults should make sure there are opportunities for them to do so. Youth can be included in nearly all Bahá’í activities and in this way learn to be responsible members of the community. They can attend the
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Feasts, serve on committees, give firesides and public talks, and help teach children’s classes. They cannot, however, serve on a Spiritual Assembly or vote for its members until they are twenty-one.
Parents are responsible for the spiritual as well as intellectual education of their children. The whole community, however, may share in carrying out this responsibility. The Local Spiritual Assembly will usually organize children’s classes and may ask several believers to teach the classes. Thus children can be brought together to learn from each other and from other adults and youth. Young people watch and imitate the actions of those around them. If they see kindness and justice, they will become kind and just themselves. Bahá’ís teach by their actions all the time.
7. Living the Life[edit]
The Bahá’í Faith is an entire way of life, not merely something one practices on a certain day of the week or in a particular place. Being a Bahá’í means trying to follow Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings every minute of one’s life, no matter where, or with whom, he may be. If someone says he believes in Bahá’u’lláh but does not live a Bahá’í life, his faith is not alive. His deeds must match his words. When one studies the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, he begins to understand what a true Bahá’í life is. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is the Perfect Exemplar. His life and teachings show each Bahá’í how to become more spiritual.
There are many good qualities which each Bahá’í can strive to gain. Some of these qualities are:
Courtesy: Bahá’ís must try not to offend or hurt anyone.
Truthfulness: Bahá’ís should always speak the truth.
Reverence: Bahá’ís should show humility before God and His Messengers.
Obedience: Bahá’ís must obey the laws of God for this day.
Cleanliness: Bahá’ís must be clean, as one’s outward appearance affects his inner life.